Hugo boss as Cats flop
Sunderland's woeful away from continued at Wigan today in a game which was as poor as the performance from the visiting side.
In an error-strewn first half, the Black Cats were a world removed from the team which had deservedly beaten Arsenal at the Stadium of Light the previous week.
In contrast, Wigan, humbled 9-1 at Spurs last Sunday, visibly grew in confidence as Sunderland faltered and should have taken the lead just before the half-hour when Jason Scotland's low shot cannoned out of Marton Fulop's post.
Fulop was by far the busier keeper on an afternoon when his opposite number, Chris Kirkland, did not have a single save to make.
The Wearsiders might still have escaped with an away point, but the fateful moment came in the 75th minute when a long ball forward from Wigan saw Hugo Rodellega come out better as he challenged for the ball with Paulo Da Silva.
The striker drove a low shot across Fulop and into the bottom corner from left of goal as Sunderland players protested, possibly about a handball, but the goal stood and the Wearsiders were unable to get back on level terms despite a late surge.
It was hard lines for the long-suffering travelling fans but the players themselves could hardly complain after a game in which they didn't muster a single shot on target.
* Full report and match pictures in tonight's Football Echo - the bargain of the weekend at just 50p.
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Weather for Sunderland
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West

